Portret van Anne Hue de Miromesnil 1641 - 1688

This is Claude Mellan’s engraving, “Portret van Anne Hue de Miromesnil”, made sometime in the 17th century. During this period, portraiture served as a powerful tool for constructing and communicating social status. Here, Anne Hue de Miromesnil is formally presented, her identity carefully curated through dress and inscription. Consider the expectations placed upon women of her era: Anne’s representation adheres to the conventions of aristocratic female portraiture, emphasizing her role as the wife of Ioann Haberti. Yet, it also reflects the subtle assertion of individual identity within those constraints. Mellan’s choice of engraving as a medium democratizes Anne’s image, making it accessible beyond the elite circles of French society. As you observe the intricate details, think about the delicate balance between public image and private self that Anne and other women of her time had to negotiate. This portrait invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between gender, class, and representation in early modern Europe.